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Crackdown in Syria

Dara’a, the central city in the Syrian protests, was the focus of a crackdown by President Bashar al-Assad. "They are arresting all males above 15 years," said a Syrian lawyer from Dara’a. Seventy people have been killed since Friday, according to human rights organizations, and thousands have been arrested. The government is gearing up for another round of protests with extra buses to carry those who may be arrested. Demonstrations are likely on Friday, May 6, the Islamic day of general peace,

Even with arrests in full swing, the protesters cling to their purpose—democracy. The military was told to quell the protests with whatever means necessary, but according to a military source, some soldiers are resisting.

Organizations around the world have condemned the actions of al-Assad, including UK Prime Minister David Cameron and President Obama. Many foreign embassies in the Syrian capital, Damascus, have been emptied, and the United States has blocked the assets of many top officials. Even Hamas, which is based in Syria, is at odds with the Syrian government.